Our Story
Roma orchard, 100 years of history
1916 - 2016
It all begins with an idea
On 22nd June 1916, Albert Collison, with his wife Henrietta, purchased two blocks of land on the Hunter River separated by the Omadale Brook, a total of 35 acres. Albert called this property "Roma" and transformed it into one of the most productive farms for its size in the Hunter Region. This property has since
remained in the family for over 100 years and continues to be loved by many.
It seems Albert was capable of transforming almost any farm into an oasis. Over time, Albert constructed a water race and developed a flood irrigation system across the property. The original hydraulic ram pump, imported from the United Kingdom, still stands today. In 1931, Albert planted 1500 orange trees, 300 apple trees and tobacco plantations were already underway. A drying shed for the tobacco was constructed in 1919 and a chimney was later invented by Albert to rapidly speed this drying process up and was in use until Albert's tobacco growing venture ended in 1939.
By 1945, apples had been planted along the land that bordered the Hunter River and Omadale Brook, so that Roma Orchard had been transformed into mostly apples, consisting of 3000 trees. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. lbert and Henrietta had 10 children, including Millie Tilse (nee Collison), and are grandparents of Doug, Bryan, Bruce, David and Joan. On December 31st 1944, Albert died, aged 75, at Scone.
“The Orchard has been growing fresh local apples for over 100 years and will hopefully still be growing local fresh apples for 100 more.”
In 1946, Bryan started working at Roma Orchard and in 1947, 5000 boxes of Granny Smith apples were trucked to Sydney harbour and exported to the UK -a shame that Albert never saw this happen. Bryans parents Millie (daughter of Albert) and Reg Tilse returned to Roma in 1950 and Roma then became known as "Tilse's Apple Orchard". Reg was a great supporter of his sons and another hard worker at the orchard. With all the boys working together R. E. Tilse and Sons partnership was formed. 1960-70 were the best years for producing apples; the weather favorable, mild frost and no hail. 10,000 cases of apples were packed for 10 years. Doug would make trips twice a week to Newcastle from Moonan Flat in the old red apple truck.Bryan continued to have a great interest in the orchard; he gave support to his parents and became an expert orchardist -apple grower and packer. Bruce also worked tirelessly at the orchard and assisted with driving to markets if there was a big crop. Davids role at the packing shed was to construct the wooden apple cases.
At peak season, they would average 170 to 200 apple cases a day. Joan was the only daughter and was spared from the hard work on the orchard -she, alongside Millie, Judy (who married Bryan in 1953) and Sheila (who married Bruce in 1958) would take orders and had a vital contribution to keeping the household running and keeping the boys in line.
In this time, Bryan and Judy's children Janelle, Michael, Brent and Steven were born. In 1972, Bryan and Judy relocated the main house at the orchard into Scone and later constructed the coolroom and packing shed. To simplify marketing, fruit was directly sold from the shed on Gundy Road where Judy managed the shed; selling local farm produce and fresh apples, peaches and pears.
“A busy day in the apple shed would see close to 200 apple cases going out a day, a lot of long busy days for the Tilse family.”
The orchard has seen many changes over the years. An old horse and picking cart was once used to carry the fruit and eventually and tractor was used to pull the cart. Our apples were once meticulously graded, wrapped in tissue and packed into hand-made wooden boxes. Today, the apples are put directly into modern new plastic bins that have replaced the old wooden bins. These larger bins are forklifted mechanically onto the apple truck and taken to the shed in Scone to be washed, graded, bagged and sold. Bryan still continues his involvement with the orchard and in over 70 years, he has only missed one in 1949! He drives each day to deliver the stores for Ellerston and tends to the orchard on his way back. This time has not always been uneventful -it is not unusual for goods to fall from his poorly secured load and leave items lost on the road. Being bitten by a red belly black snake while tending to the pump in the brook slowed him down for only a day.
Other mishaps including rolling the ride-own mower into the creek or sustaining a subdural haematoma on a low-hanging branch while driving only managed to slow him down for a day or so. Bryan is never fazed by these misadventures and nothing seems to alter his passion. We all often wonder where he gets his endless enthusiasm and energy to work at such pace. Bryan always encourages family and friends to visit the orchard so that he could "teach them how to really work".
“Bryan Tilse is still an active member of the Roma Orchard team and still a regular visitor to the Orchard so if ever you see him around be sure to say hello and ask about one of his many apple picking stories”
“Steve and Alison are the 6th generation of Tilse’s to run Roma Orchard and wish to preserve the legacy of those before them as well as add their own mark on our beautiful Orchard.”
In 1995, Steven and Alison Tilse took over management of Roma Orchard, with their two daughters Mikaela and Ellie. The Orchard Lodge was constructed and has since grown into what we see today with additions including the large entertaining verandah and the characteristic avenue of paulownia trees.
Today, Roma Orchard has over 1000 apple trees and 5 acres of wine grapes including Cabernet, Merlot and Shiraz. The wine label 'Omadale Brook Estate' was developed by Steven and continues to produce boutique batches of red wine. Luke Tilse, Bryan's grandson, has recently crafted and marketed the very popular Tilse's Apple Truck Cider from these apples. Family and friends continue to help on the orchard with various jobs and are particularly helpful for picking and pruning. Recently, Roma Cottage was renovated and transformed into a boutique holiday accommodation.
Roma Orchard has been owned and operated by the Tilse family for 6 generations over more than 100 years. Worked as a produce farm, it employed many workers over the years, entertained many visitors who have enjoyed it as a holiday retreat, and more prominently, loved by all extended families who visit this unique and idyllic location time and time again.